News

Prof. ZHENG Yongping, DoRISA, awarded 1st BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize Health for Life Award

Prof. ZHENG Yongping, Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), has been awarded the inaugural BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize in the field of “Life and Health” with HKD 2 million cash prize. Prof. Zheng has obtained more than 50 patents and was ranked among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists in rankings compiled by Stanford University in 2021 and 2022. His main research area includes biomedical ultrasound instrumentation, soft tissue elasticity measurement and imaging, 3D ultrasound imaging and smart ageing technologies. The research team led by Prof. Zheng has developed a 3D ultrasound imaging system, “Scolioscan”, which can bring accurate, safe and cost-efficient radiation-free scoliosis assessment. The invention has been applied to clinical assessment in many countries to facilitate early diagnosis and early treatment of scoliosis, and to control the condition using non-surgical intervention. This invention can also be used for the evaluation of ageing spine, including degenerative scoliosis. Further reading: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/media/media-releases/2022/1221_two-polyu-scholars-awarded-inaugural--bochk-science-and-technology-innovation-prize/

RISA scholar wins Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong) 2022

Dr WEN Chunyi, Member of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), won the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Award (Hong Kong) 2022 in the biology and medicine category of the Healthy Longevity Global Competition for his project “Senolytic uPAR-CAR-T Therapy for Osteoarthritis”. The competition is organised by the National Academy of Medicine of the United States. It is a series of inducement awards and prizes to catalyse breakthrough innovations to promote people’s lifelong physical, mental, and social health and well-being. There are ten awards in the competition. Each winning project will receive a US$50,000 cash prize for a maximum period of 12 months.

Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations featured in TVB News

Prof. WU Bo, Associate Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE), mentioned in an earlier interview with TVB News that his research team has been actively participating in national space exploration missions in the past decade, including the development of innovative 3D topographic mapping and intelligent geomorphological analysis techniques used in spacecrafts’ landings sites selection, etc.  Prof Wu said, “Aerospace technology is a good entry point for the development of innovative technology. For example, our satellite navigation and satellite communication are very relevant to our citizens. The maps as well as the positioning and navigation system we used are actually something each of us use in daily life.” RCDSE will continue actively contributing to the Nation’s space mission. The Centre is now collaborating with the Hong Kong Space Museum to showcase an interactive exhibit “Moon | Mars VR”. The virtual reality exhibit, powered by PolyU’s cutting-edge technology that assists the Nation’s space missions, constructs a virtual reality of the landing sites of Chang’e-4 and Tianwen-1 spacecrafts on the Moon and Mars, allowing public visitors to have a simulation experience of spacewalking and exploration. Online Coverage: https://news.tvb.com/tc/local/63950bcbb8b7ebb488012541 (Chinese only) Exhibit Info: https://polyu.hk/LMndW

BME, RIAIoT and RISports successfully held first Distinguished Speaker Series

Prof. David WEITZ, Member of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering (USA), and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, gave a talk titled “Droplet-templated materials with microfluidics” in the Distinguished Speaker Series jointly organised by the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT) and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) on 11 January 2023.  The hybrid talk attracted about 200 participants from PolyU, universities in China and the industry.

President Teng shares insights on Hong Kong’s I&T potential with the BJ News

PolyU President Prof. TENG Jin-Guang shared his insights with The BJ News on the I&T development in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA), and how PolyU can contribute in this regard. President Teng believed that Hong Kong enjoys ample opportunities brought by the development in the inland, and PolyU has benefited from this to drive the University’s policy advocacy work and I&T research further. Prof. Teng mentioned the establishment of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and its 11 research institutes and 5 research centres is to address major societal challenges through interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer. He introduced some of PAIR’s research projects, including the new myopia management spectacle lens launched by members of the Research Centre for SHARP Vision (RCSV) as well as the “Mars Landing Surveillance Camera”, “Surface Sampling and Packing System” and “Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping” designed by the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) for national space missions. As the largest interdisciplinary research platform in the GBA, PAIR will continue to make unremitting efforts in promoting interdisciplinary research and innovation, for the betterment of the GBA and the world. Online coverage: https://www.bjnews.com.cn/detail/1672732871168666.html (simplified Chinese only)

Member of Photonics Research Institute wins the Nano Research Top Papers Award in 2022

Dr TSANG Yuen Hong, Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), received the Nano Research Top Papers Award in 2022 with the co-authored paper “Highly sensitive solar-blind deep ultraviolet photodetector based on graphene/PtSe2/β-Ga2O32D/3D Schottky junction with ultrafast speed.”  The Top Papers Award was established in 2015 by the editorial board of Nano Research and the Tsinghua University Press (TUP). Among the worldwide scientists who have published papers in Nano Research during the two preceding years, the winner is determined by the Award Committee (Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, representatives from TUP) according to the citation in the latest year and the contribution of the paper.

Ir Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, DoRCDSE, to be featured on RTHK TV programme

The RTHK programme “Our Scientists” is featuring Ir Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Director of RCDSE, in the second and third episodes. The second episode is now available at the RTHK’s website: https://www.rthk.hk/tv/dtt31/programme/ourscientists2022?lang=en. The third episode will air this coming Saturday (7 January 2023). The eight-episode documentary brings audience to the exciting world of science. It interviews a number of outstanding scientists to understand their intellectual and continuous pursuit for scientific exploration and knowledge, as well as the challenges, joy and success along the scientific journey.

PRI member wins 2022 Optoelectronics Global Conference (OGC) Young Scientist Award

Dr HUANG Dongmei, Member of the Photonics Research Institute (PRI), was selected for the 2022 OGC Young Scientist Award in recognition of her academic excellence. The 7th Optoelectronics Global Conference (OGC 2022) was held virtually from 6–11December 2022. Sponsored by IEEE Photonics Society Guangdong Chapter and hosted by Southern University of Science and Technology, the conference aims to promote international exchange among professionals from various disciplines in academia and industry.

Ir Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, featured in the news

Ir Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) of PolyU, said in an exclusive interview with China News that scientific research development in Hong Kong has received increasing attention from the Hong Kong government and the Nation in recent years. In the past ten years, Prof. Yung has led the team to participate in major national space missions, from "Chang'e-3" lunar mission to "Tianwen-1" mars mission. He mentioned that in order for Hong Kong to go further, Hong Kong must integrate into the overall development of the nation, rely on the resources of the inland, and complement the advantages of the inland.  "More than 20 years ago, there was very little funding. Only when the results were in the sky could there be more funding," he recalled.  Prof. Yung also observed that Hong Kong has been paying more and more attention to scientific research in recent years and receiving increasing funding.  The selection of payload experts in Hong Kong and Macau for the first time reflects the nation's support and trust in Hong Kong, and its recognition of Hong Kong's innovation and technology development.   Online coverage: Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3Q5jemG (Chinese only) China News Service - https://polyu.me/3C6cAXm (Simplified Chinese only)

PAIR Public Seminar: An Entrepreneur’s Perspective on Surgical Robotics and Telemedicine, and their Convergence

PAIR cordially invites you to our Public Seminar on 10 January 2023 (Tuesday) at 2:30-4:00pm (HKT) at PolyU campus and via Zoom. The hybrid seminar "An Entrepreneur’s Perspective on Surgical Robotics and Telemedicine, and their Convergence” will be delivered by Dr WANG Yulun, Fellow at Teladoc Health, and Co-founder and Chairman of Maxcess Health and World Telehealth Initiative.    Dr Wang has over 30 years working at the forefront of the surgical robotics and telemedicine industries. In this seminar, he will describe the evolution of these technologies and marketplaces and offer insights into how they will continue transforming healthcare delivery. Dr Wang earned his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1988. He is the author of 50+ technical publications and an inventor of over 200 patents. Among the honours, he received the 2017 IEEE Medal for Healthcare Innovation, and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2011.   Dr Wang has been actively promoting various R&D initiatives and corporate social responsibility. He is co-founded of Maxcess Health, a company which maximises access to telesurgery, and the World Telehealth Initiative, a non-profit that engages volunteer clinicians and telemedicine to deliver healthcare expertise to impoverished areas in the world. Don’t miss the chance to learn about digital health from Dr Wang! Find out more and register at: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/news-and-events/events/2023/1/20230110---pair-public-seminar-dr-yulun-wang/?sc_lang=en